Flush tank apparatus



Jan. 5, 1932. D. F. "TRACEY 1,839,424

FLUSH TANK APPARATUS Filed Aug. 6, 1930 Patented Jan. 5, 1932 DANIEL F. T ACE-Y, on HUNTI GTON, wnsrr VIRGINIA FLUSH TANK APPARATUS Application filed au st 6, 1930. Serial mamas-o2.

Gencrical y this invention relates .toasilent flushingtank apparatus, but is more particu larly directed to thatclassof flushing tanks having means to accelerate the s1phon1ngac tion and-effect quicker empty ngof the tank,

at the same time preventing the continuous,

siphoning action, which has frequently attended, attempts to eii ect a quick discharge of the tank contents. f

One of the principal objects of thisinvcnt'ion is the provision of a method and apparatus for directing a stream of Water under full line pressure directly to the short log of the siphon at its upper end and at the same time into its lower end to start the siphoning action, whereby the velocity and volume of water passing through the siphon over the amount that would pass through if the siphon was started by the ordinary means, reflects the emptying of the tank'in a much shorter time than as heretofore .been prevalent V I I 4 Anotherimportant object of this invention is the provision of an improved valve operating mechanism for .efl'ecting the-quick opening of the inlet valve, and an auxiliary valve mechanism simultaneously operable therewith to etlect simultaneous discharge of the stream of water. from the inlet valve .di-. rect into the siphon atthe lower end of the intake leg and through a spray'jet into the upper ends of the, intake andoutlet legs, -and by virtue of the line pressureefiectingimmediate starting of the 'siphonand quickeinptying of the tank, and automaticallyoperable means when the water has reached a predetermined point in the tank to operate said auxiliary valve to cut of? the flow intothe siphon and permit its discharge-directly into the tank, and means in connection with the inlet valveto close thesame whenthe normal water level within the tank has beenreached.

A further object of :this invention isthe provision of a tank flushing. apparatus including an inlet valve mechanism .and a siphon device in communication therewith, an inlet valve mechanism, andxanauxiliary valve mechanism controlling the flow of water from the. inlet mechanism to the siphon device, valve operating means for efi'ecting the simultanenous operation of .both valve mechanisms in opening direction, additional means cooperating with saidoperating means for closing the inlet valve and independent means associated. with the auxiliary valve mechanism for closing the latter. \Vith these and otherobjects in view whicl xvi-ll become apparent as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, hereina tter more fnllydescribed and claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout .the several iigiires, of which:

Fig. I is a longitudinal section showing the tank filled. Y

i Fig. 2 shows the tank partially filled with auxiliary valve in raised position. Fig. is an enlarged ,detail of the inlet valve triggermechanism.

'Io plovide an apparatus capable of ii nmediatelystarting the siphoning action and effecting silent and'rapid emptyingand refilling of the tank has long occupied the minds ofthose skilled in this art, but with more :or less scant success, since the quick emptying of the tankzis often accompanied by a continuous siphoning action, and a quick opening of the inlet valve not .only contributes to the disadvantages of the continued siphoning, but tends to producean-unpleasant noise duringthe refilling operation, and, frequently wherea more quiet operating valve actionisobtainedfla slowiilling ofthe tank with its attendant disadvantages iseffooted. Therefore, it was to .overcome the deficienciesof such devicesand to provide a flushing tank apparatus,silent in operation, having .valve andauxiliary valve mechanisms simultaneously operable to direct Water under line pressure through a jet-at the-bottom of theintake leg and direct into the upper end thereofithrough a spray jetto instantly start the siphoning action, and by the increased velocitvquickly empty the tank said auxiliary valve being automatically operable when the water within the tank reaches a predetermined level tocut off the flow into s the siphon and permit its'direct discharge loo ' st antially The tank A is formed in its bottom with an opening 1 through which is adapted to eX- tend the discharge leg 2 of siphon B, conventionally mounted therein, and is also formed with aperture 3 through which extends inlet pipe'4. Suitably mounted on the upper end of pipe 4 is inlet valve mechanism C comprising casing 5 formed with an upstanding cylindrical projection 8 having a threaded closurecap 7 mounted'thereon. The casing 5 is formed exterior thereof with spaced lips 8 between which is mounted on pin 9 the sub- L-shaped lever 10 internally threaded in its upper end as at 11 for a purpose hereinafter appearing, and horizontal portion 12 is adapted to extend within member 6 terminating in an enlarged ball-like portion 13 seating in a correspondingly shaped opening in valve stem 14 by means of which said stem is vertically reciprocated in 7 member 6 to engage and'disengage valve 15 from its seat 16, as and for a purpose well understood. Said casing 5 is formed adjacent its lower edge with an internally threaded outlet opening 17.

The trigger block 18 substantially rectangular in configuration and formed with a rearwardly extended projection 19 is threadedly engageable'with valve lever 10 as at 11 and with its outer or free end formed with an inclined face 20. A yoke block 21 formed with a longitudinally extending yoke portion 22 is adapted to embrace trigger block 18 and is pivotallyconnected thereto by pin 23, said member 21 being also formed with fork members 24 adapted to receive trip finger member 25 having its lower end pivotally connected to said forkedinembers by pin 26, said finger being formedwith a ledge or seat 27 on which is adapted to seattrigger block 18, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Said trip finger 25 is formed at its upper end with a horizontally extending arm 28, the free end of which is adapted to engage trip member 29 suitably connected to an operating handle 30 mounted exterior of the tankand by means of which the arm 28 may be raised, disengaging block 20 from seat 27, thereby permitting it to fall, operating lever 10 to reciprocate valve stem 14 and raise valve 15 to open position, as will hereinafter more fully appear. Threa'dedly engageable in the free end of trigger block or otherwise suitably con nectedtheretoiisrod 31 on the free end of which is suitably mounted a float 32 which normallymaintains the arm 28 in lowered position and through the instrumentality of trip finger 25, trigger block 18, lever 10 and valve stem 14 maintains valve 15 in closed position.

An outlet pipe 33 has one end threadedly or otherwise suitably engageable in opening 17' of valve casing 5 and extends horizontally and downwardly at right angles terminating at a point suitably spaced from the bottom of the tank and throughwhich water may be discharged from the inlet valve directly into the tank as will be well understood.

Mounted in said pipe 33 spaced from the opening 17 is the auxiliary valve mechanism D, substantially T-shaped with the longitudi.

lower edge, adapted for slideable'movement in slots 30 formed in the opposite walls of member 35. Said valve 36 is also formed with an opening 41 in one side adjacent its upper end for a purpose hereinafter appearing.

A latch'finger 42 is adapted to be mounted in slot '43 formed adjacent the lower end of member and is pivotally mounted therein by pin 44. Said finger 1S'fOII118Cl with a substantially right angularly extending trigger arm 45011 the outer end ofwhich is suitably mountedtrigger float 46; The'free' end of trigger 42 is formed with latch face 4'? adapted'to engage the lower edge of valve 36 when the latter is elevated as shown in Fig.

3, to maintain the same in elevated position by means of float 46 until recession of the water-level below the normal position of said float,wh"ereupon it will be released to fall to its initial position as will be apparent. In order to elevate said valve member 36, a connecting rod'49 is loosely connected to one of the pins 39 at its lower'end and its upper end pivotally connected to arm 28 as at 50,whereupon elevation of arm 28 will eifect the open ing of valve 15 and through the instrumentality of rod 49 simultaneously the valve 36 will be raised'to effect registration of open ing 41 with pipe 33 which will close said pipe as at 51 and direct the flow of water from valve mechanism G downwardly through housing 35 and valve member 36 as will hereinafter more fully-appear.

' Suitably connected to the lower end of housing '35 is a conduit pipe 52 extending iii downwardly and outwardly terminating ina twoway conduit extending upwardly and outwardly from 52, communicating as at 54 with the upper end of inlet leg 2 of siphon B, terminating in spray nozzle 55 suitably connected thereto, and extending downwardly from said conduit52 outwardly and upwardly within the open end of leg 2 and terminating in a jet 55 suitably connectedthereto, so that water flowing through pipe 52 under line pressure will be caused to discharge directly into the upper end of the siphon as at 5% through spray nozzle 55, and into its lower end through jet 55 which will create a vacuum therein and immediately start the si phonic action as will be well understood.

The siphon-B is preferably formed with an air inlet tube 56 communicating with its upper end and terminating substantially central of the tank, and with graduated airinlet openings 57, 58 and 59, respectively, which further assists in the siphoning action as will be well understood.

The operation of the device is thought to be clear from the above description, but it might be well to further state that when the tank is filled to the normal water level E, the float 32 by virtue of the yoke block 21 against trip finger 25 will maintain trigger block 18 in contact with seat 27 and through leverlO maintain valve 15 in closed position or in con tact with seat 16. Operation of handle will actuate member 29 to elevate arm 28 and through connecting rod 49 elevate member 36 to align opening al with pipe 33 preventing flow through said pipe beyond said member 36, and as arm 30 is raised, trigger block 18 will be disengaged from its seat 27 and by its own weight drop down and through lever 10 raise valve 15, whereby water-under line pressure will be directed through pipe 33 valve member 36, ho'using =35, conduits 52 and 53 to be discharged into the siphon device through nozzle 55 and jet 55 simultaneously to start the siphoning action. hen the'valve 36 is elevated as shown in Fig. 3,float 46 will be impelled upward placing'latch 4'7 under the lower end of member 36 to maintain the same in elevated position, but as the water level recedes below said casing 35, trigger finger 42 will be retracted, permitting valve member 36 to drop, seating valvecap 37in seat 38, whereupon-the flow will be cut off from conduit 53 and directd through outlet pipe 33 to discharge into the tank. The float 32 having been lowered by emptying of the tank, as it is elevated by the rising water level in tank filling direction, seat 27 will engage the trigger block 18 to'elevate'the same and close valve 15, so that'by'thetime thewater level has reached its normal point Ethe valve and valve actuating components will have been returned to their initial position, as will be clear without further discussion.

. It willibe especially notedfrom-the above ferent point-sin the siphon and the filling of theoutlet leg thereof with spray from nozzle 55, as will be apparent without further discussion.

From the above it is apparent that I have designed a flushing tank method and apparatus, which by reason of the direct water 'discharge'from the inlet mechanism to the siphon device and subsequent diversion into the tank, a silent filling operation is effected, and by virtue of the jet at the lower. end, and. direct'discharge from the inlet valve into the upper end of said siphon, that silent siphonic action willimmediately beestablished and by reason of the pressure, the velocity,

and Volume of outflow through said siphon materially: increased,,,-and having means jointly operable towsimultaneously open the inlet and auxiliary valves to direct the water to the siphon, and-cooperating means for closing the auxiliary valve and inlet valve at proper time intervals to quickly refill the tank and at the same time prevent continued siphoning action, yet one simple in-construction, manufacturable at'a reasonable cost, comprisingv few partsand efficient for the purposes intended.

Although in practiceI have' found that the formkofmy invention illustrated in-the accompanying drawings and referred to in the aboveqdescription as the preferred embodiment, is the most efficient and practical; yet

realizing thev conditions-concurrent with the adoption of myinvention ,will necessarily vary, I desireto emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts,.may be resorted to within the sco pe of the appended claims without:departingfrom or sacrificing any ofthe principlesof this invention.

Having thus described my inventiomwhat I desire protected by Letters Patent is forth in the following claims T asset 1. A flush tank apparatus comprising" an 7 inlet valve mechanism and an outlet siphon device, conduit means connecting 531d inlet valve mechanism and intake leg of the siphon device at itsupper and lower ends, an au xiliaryvalve 11160113318111 associated with said condu'1t,means for effecting the snnultaneous operation of the inlet and auxiliary valves, whereby the water under pressure is directed from the inlet valve into said siphon device to start the siphon and increase the volume of flow therethr'ough. I r

I 2. A flushtank'apparatuscomprising an 4 .5 ing'in a two way conduit, one end-of which is effecting the simultaneous operation of the inlet valve mechanism and a siphon device, means for operating the valve mechanism, conduit means connected to the inlet mechanism and with the upper and lower ends of the siphon intake leg and an outlet pipe'ine terceptingsaid conduit and discharging into the tank, an auxiliary valve mechanism associated with said outlet pipe and conduit, and valve operating means associated therewith, whereby water under line pressure is directed from the inlet valve into the upper and lower ends of said siphon to start the same and in crease the volume of flow therethrough, said auxiliary valve, operating to divert the flow from the siphon, and direct it through said outlet pipe, when the water in the tank reaches a predetermined level, and meansassociated with the inlet valve operating means to close said valve when the water has reached its normal level. p Y

3. A flush tank apparatus comprising an inlet valve mechanism andan outlet siphon device, means for operating said valve mechanism, conduit means interconnecting the inlet valve mechanism and the siphon device, said means including an outlet pipe discharging into the tank, an auxiliary valve mechanism mounted in said pipe forming a continuation thereof and a conduit connected to said valve mechanism, said conduit terminating in a two way conduit, one end of which isicon nected with the upper end of the inlet leg of the siphon and terminating in a spray nozzle, the other end extending within the lower end of said leg, and valve operating means for effecting the simultaneous operation of the inlet and auxiliaryvalves in opening direcnism mountedin said; pipe forming tion, whereby waterrunder pressureis directed from the inlet valve into the upper end of the siphon through the spray nozzle andv simultaneously intothe open end thereof to start the siphonicxaction and increase the volume of flow through said siphon to efiect quick emptying of the tank.

4:. A flush tank apparatus comprising an inlet valve mechanism and an outlet siphon device, means foroperating said valve mechanism, conduit means interconnecting the inlet valve mechanism and the siphon device, said means including an outlet pipe discharging into the tank, an auxiliary valve mechacontinuationthereof and a conduit connected to said valve mechanism, said conduit terminatand the other end extending within the lowerend of said leg, and valve operating-means for inlet and auxiliary-valves in opening direction, whereby water under pressure is directed from the inlet valve into the upper ends of both legs of the siphon and simultaneouslyinto the open end thereof to startthe siphonic action and increase the volume of flow through saidsiphon to effect quickemptying of the tank, additional means associated with said valve operating means to divert the flow from the inlet valve to the siphon and direct it into said tank when the water has reached a predetermined level in the tank, and. means operable to close the inlet valve when the said water level has reached a predetermined level.

5. A flush tank apparatus comprising an inlet valve mechanism and an outlet siphon device, conduit means connecting said inlet valve mechanism and siphon device, an auxiliary valve mechanism associated with said conduit and including a valve member, an inlet valve operating means including a trigger block and trip finger engageable with said block and't'ormed with an arm extension, a connecting rod connected to said arm and auxiliary valve member, and means for operating said arm, whereby operating of said arm eiiects the simultaneous opening of the inlet and auxiliary valves and directs water under pressure simultaneously to the top and bottom of the siphon intake leg and upper end of the outlet leg to start the siphonic action, and means for closing said valves.

6. A flush tank apparatus comprising an inlet valve mechanism and an outlet siphon device, conduit means connecting said inlet 'alvemechanismoand siphon device and haw ing an outlet pipe into the-tank, an auxiliary valve mechanism connecting said conduit and outlet pipe and having a valve member, means for operating said inlet valve, said means including a level connected to said valve and terminating in a trigger block, a yoke member pivotally connected to said valve and terminating in a trigger block, a trigger finger also pivotally connected to said yoke member, and formed with an arm extension, a connecting rod interconnecting said arm and said auxiliary valve, a float connected to said yoke member, and means forelevating said arm whereby said trigger block is disengaged from said trigger linger, and said auxiliary valve and inlet valve are simultaneously elevated to open position and water under pressure is directed through said conduit to the upper and lower ends of'the intake siphon leg to start the siphonic action and increase the volume otfiow through said siphon to quickly empty thetank, and float control means operable to cut off the flow of the water through said conduit and divert it through said outlet pipe,'when a predetermined water level has been reached, the float connected to said yoke member adapted to elevate said trigger block and close the inlet valve when conduit means connecting said valve mechanism and siphon device, whereby Water is simultaneously directed into the lower end of the intake leg and into the upper ends of both of said legs in the form of a spray.

8. A flush tank apparatus including an inlet valve mechanism and an outlet siphon device having intake and outlet legs, conduit means connecting said valve mechanism and 1 siphon device, and a spray nozzle connected to said conduit means, whereby Water is simultaneously directed into the lower end of the intake leg and into the upper ends of both of said legs in the form of a spray.

This specification signed this 15 day of April, A, D. 1930.

DANIEL F. TRAOEY. 

